What riding level would you expect a 14 yr old to be at?

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FunkyFilly28

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Hi, just wondering what you thin a 14 year old would be able to do in term of riding. My friends, aged 14 are generally jumping 2ft9''/3ft3'' XC and SJ. One junts regualarly too and younger sisters (aged 8 and 10) are jumping 2ft 6'' XC and SJ. WOuld you say this is about right?
I'm almost fourteen (have a late birthday!!!) but can only jump 2ft/2ft3'' SJ and have only done one XC course at 1ft 6''!!! Do I need to catch up quick?!!! They have also done their C+ pony club tests and I haven't done any due to only joining last year.

Sorry it's such a long, boring post - cookies for getting this far!!!
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Dont compare yourself to other people your age. Do what your comfortable with and have fun!
I'm 19 and haven't even done one xc fence, but I'm happy because I do what I enjoy not what other people my age enjoy.
Nickie
 
It all depends on your confidence, riding ability ( as in experience) and what your horse can do.
Age doesnt come into it so dont worry, you'll get there the more you do
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Im 25 now and passed my AI 6 years ago but the thought of jumpin 3ft now scares me to bits! But then with some practice ill hopefully be more confident
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What do you want to do with your riding? Are you just ridin for fun?
 
Thanks. I'm riding for fun at the minute with a few local SJ things here and there but would like to start doing more serious stuff now. I've just go a new horsie on loan so hopefully he'll be able to take me further...:)
 
Ditto RubysGold. I may be only a few years younger than the likes of Ellen Whittaker, but I'll never be able to ride like her no matter how old I get! In fact, there are plenty of people younger than me that are probably far better riders than me
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A person's level of riding depends on loads of things, not just age and at the end of the day, as long as you are happy and enjoying your riding it doesn't matter what you do or don't do!
 
Focus on a goal and work to it....get a good instructor and the skies the limit! Good luck and I will keep an eye out for you at 2012
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Thanks! Yeah they've alll had ponies from when they could walk and been attatched to a lead rein to go hunting etc. and off they go! Wish I ahd the confidence they've got though! hehe
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Surely it depends on what age you started riding? I REALLY wouldn't worry about it
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Just keep improving at the rate you're most comfortable.
 
How long is a piece of string
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This is totally dependant on when you started riding, natural ability, and as much as I hate to say it, money.

eg. Some 14 year olds are on the international pony SJ circuit... whereas some have just had their first riding lesson!!

Just have fun and don't worry about other people
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Don't worry about it- although I did feel the same at pony club. But seriously just have fun, im sure sime pro riders had hardly ridden at 14, yet some will be doing top level dressage eventing or SJ, have fun and progress at your rate- it shouldn;t affect them.
 
well i am 16 and can do that so what si your want use yto say that it bad she can do all of this or it good thats she is doign this !

It all depend on how long you have been riidng for ?
 
Age is really irrelevant, it depends how much riding a person has done, how much they have learned - and how lucky they have been in terms of opportunites for instruction, riding ponies that helped them to learn, and so on. Someone who's had their own pony, perhaps, riding several times a week since they were little, will be more confident than someone who started riding when they were a bit older, or who only rides for an hour every week or so.

The ages recommended by Pony Club for their tests are just that, recommendations (with minimum ages specified, but not upper age limits). You can do C test at 18 or more, it really doesn't matter if most of your friends did it between 12 and 14.

There may kids of 8 years old jumping round 3'6" BSJA courses - some of them may be incapable of riding a dressage test, or managing the pony out hunting. Children that are lucky enough to hunt regularly on a pony they trust possibly learn more than lessons in an arena could ever teach them. There are very many people learn to ride as adults and are only just learning rising trot, let alone jumping.

Maybe you can swim - does it matter if you can do more or fewer lengths of backstroke, for example, than friends of the same age? Or if you can do cartwheels, but your friend just can't? Skating? Dancing?

If you're always willing to listen to your instructor, accept opportunities to ride different ponies and horses within your confidence zone and ability, you'll progress at the level that is right for YOU - and that is all that matters.

I hope you enjoy Pony Club, learn lots, have loads of fun and make masses of friends. And if anyone starts going on about how 'good' they are compared to you, remember they may have years more experience, and you should try not to let it bother you. Making friends is more fun than making enemies and you can learn something from everyone, even if you learn how 'not' to go about things!

Good luck (and have a lovely birthday, whenever it is)!
 
Like the others have said, please don't worry about age even though its easy and natural to compare yourself to others like that. I'm 20 and have only had my 1st horse for just over a year, so I upset myself about not being as experienced as others of my age, and thats not a good way to be. Try to remind yourself that you got into horses independently (I'm assuming your parents aren't horsey?), and your friends probably deep down really respect that. Not taking anything away from them, but they've really had it easy.
And for what its worth, I think you're doing really well for your age so don't worry about catching up, and good luck with your new loan horse!
 
As others have said, dont compare yourself!
Im only just 15 and have been riding since i was 6. I don't do pony club and haven't done many shows as i hate people watch me ride lol. I prefer to ride difficult ponies and deal with the youngsters and let some one else do the competing. I do want to have a go at competing this year although i have very bad luck as my pony usualy injures himself before a show.
I have a 15 year old friend that started riding in 2005 and she got her first pony 2 months after she started to ride (sounds silly but very long story)...anyway shes gone from nothing to doing eventing in america (moved over there). Although she openly admits to not wanting to deal with what i like to deal with, or the 1 step forward 2 steps back part
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At the end of the day it's what you want and not what anyone else thinks you should be doing that counts!
 
I done horsey training - SVQ's etc 7years ago, had to jump courses of 2'6 and 2'9 with instructors judging me on it and i done it without a 2nd thought, if someone asked me to do that now id probably say no as id be terrified!! I have a friend who's the same age as me and hasnt done any training etc and she does XC and SJ all the time!! Its not about age or keeping up with what others are doing, its about you being happy and having fun!!
 
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